1. Gladiator
DreamWorks Pictures / Via impawards.com
Released: May 5, 2000
Fun fact: Mel Gibson was apparently the original choice to play Maximus (Russell Crowe), but he passed on the part. At 43, Gibson didn’t know if he could take on such a physically demanding role.
2. Center Stage
Columbia Pictures / Via fanpop.com
Released: May 12, 2000
Fun fact: Maureen is supposed to be the American Ballet Academy’s prima ballerina, but she doesn’t do much dancing on screen. That’s because actressSusan May Pratt was the only cast member without any formal dance training.
3. Road Trip
DreamWorks Pictures / Via imgkid.com
Released: May 19, 2000
Fun fact: Director Todd Phillips makes a cameo as the “foot lover on the bus.” Phillips would, of course, go on to direct Old School and The Hangover films.
4. Big Momma’s House
20th Century Fox / Via flickfacts.com
Released: June 2, 2000
Fun fact: Big Momma’s House is one of only four movies to be released onEnhanced Versatile Disc, or EVD, a short-lived Chinese rival to the DVD.
5. Gone In 60 Seconds
Touchstone Pictures / Via tcotrel.tripod.com
Released: June 9, 2000
Fun fact: The customized 1967 Ford Mustang used in the film — nicknamed Eleanor — sold for $1 million at auction in 2013.
6. The Patriot
Columbia Pictures / Via imovies-guide.com
Released: June 29, 2000
Fun fact: The filmmakers originally wanted Kevin Spacey to play Col. William Tavington (Jason Isaacs), but after paying out Mel Gibson’s $25 million salary, there wasn’t enough money left in the budget to afford Spacey.
7. The Perfect Storm
Warner Bros. / Via impawards.com
Released: June 30, 2000
Fun fact: None of the fish seen in the movie are real. They’re all rubber or animatronic, because director Wolfgang Petersen is an animal rights advocate.
8. Scary Movie
Miramax Films / Via galleryhip.com
Released: July 7, 2000
Fun fact: The original script called for a cameo from scream queen and Halloweenstar Jamie Lee Curtis. Unfortunately, the filmmakers couldn’t get Curtis to sign on to the movie.
9. X-Men
20th Century Fox / Via spacemov.com
Released: July 14, 2000
Fun fact: Russell Crowe was director Bryan Singer’s first choice to play Wolverine. The Gladiator star passed on the part, but recommended his friend Hugh Jackman for the role.
10. What Lies Beneath
DreamWorks Pictures / Via teniesonline.ucoz.com
Released: July 21, 2000
Fun fact: Director Robert Zemeckis filmed What Lies Beneath while taking a breakfrom Cast Away, so Tom Hanks would have time to drop all that weight.
11. Coyote Ugly
Buena Vista Pictures / Via flickfacts.com
Released: August 4, 2000
Fun fact: Jessica Simpson was originally cast as Violet (Piper Perabo), but backed out when filmmakers refused to cut the sex scene.
12. Bring It On
Universal Pictures / Via bettyconfidential.com
Released: August 25, 2000
Fun fact: Most of the extreme moves seen at the movie’s final competition are illegalin high school cheerleading competitions.
13. Almost Famous
DreamWorks Pictures / Via fanpop.com
Released: September 15, 2000
Fun fact: The film’s original title was Untitled, but the studio wouldn’t sign off on it. However, Cameron Crowe’s director’s cut is subtitled “Untitled.”
14. Billy Elliot
Universal Pictures / Via imgkid.com
Released: September 22, 2000
Fun fact: Jamie Bell took dance lessons in real life before landing the title role, and drew from his personal experience with being bullied for taking ballet to play Billy Elliot.
15. Remember the Titans
Walt Disney Pictures / Via didyouseethatone.com
Released: September 29, 2000
